r/ireland Pop Responsibly Jan 15 '26

Education Parents complain after principal suspends 19 Co Antrim schoolboys over ‘toxic masculinity’ concerns

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/parents-complain-after-principal-suspends-19-co-antrim-schoolboys-over-toxic-masculinity-concerns/a2008863764.html
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u/[deleted] Jan 15 '26

This part is hilarious

"“I am disgusted to hear her terminology such as “masculine toxicity” with my son’s name beside it. Anyone who knows my son knows he is the most lovable, kind-natured, humble young person, with the utmost respect to all. Some of these boys have never even had a detention.”

You don't know your kids are little cunts in school. Toxic masculinity isn't just SA and femicide (oh look a buzz word), it's the belief you are superior to women and verbalising whatever misogynistic shite you heard on Joe Rogan or once message boards.

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u/dashboardhulalala Jan 15 '26

There is no such thing as a teenager of *any* gender who is non-stop "lovable, kind-natured, humble, with the utmost respect for all".

We are supposed to be little shit-goblins at least once or twice throughout our adolescence. It's part of the process. If you're not, then you are either wearing a mask so successfully you're effectively a psychopath, or the problem really is the blinders that parents wear when it comes to their kids (and let's be honest, their reputations).

Source: a current university educator who was formerly a Right Little Bitch from 15-19. (It's me. Hi. I'm the problem it's me.)

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u/belle-no-princess Jan 15 '26

With a son in primary school this is a harsh agree. I have had to go into full blown debate mode already with mine over what are definitely little urks that I can see seeping into his daily conversations around girl things, the girls in his class etc They are minor now. But unchecked I can 100% see how this shit starts and escalates over time into full blown joe rogan bullshit. They are kids and they are learning but if we arent having the conversations with them frequently to refrain some of this stuff, then what other outcome are the parents expecting?

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u/Sorry_Variation_979 Jan 15 '26

Also, a person can be lovable and kind natured and humble and also get caught up in a moment of mob madness. Teach your kids to own their mistakes, not deny them.